Chapter Eight: If You Think I'm Young. .

Today was the day. I'd finished my sophomore year, and it was time for Megadeth's first promo tour. Most of the time I couldn't go with Metallica even if it was across cities. But now that I didn't have a parent restricting me, I had an adult who was enforcing I went. I didn't have to listen to him, but I didn't care enough to get into a fight with him. He just didn't want me to be at home alone for two weeks. But really, I think he just didn't want to be without me for two weeks. I'd be able to handle myself, but he was being pretty clingy lately so I let him boss me around. I liked it, and so did he. There was a pecking order, and he was at the top. Unfortunately I had to leave Reaper behind. I couldn't leave him with a band member for two obvious reasons. One, i wouldn't trust any of them, except maybe Junior, with my dog, and two being they were coming with us. I didn't really have any friends to stick him with either. I considered the Metallica boys... but thought of all the things that might happen.

"Jackie, find a place" Dave said "we leave in three hours" i groaned

"You find him a place, he's technically your dog" i whined. He looked at me with warning eyes. He was stressed out today, he was nervous. I put my hands up

"Okay okay, my dog" i muttered and clipped on Reaper's leash. I bent down to him "daddy said your not his" i said in my dog talk voice "he doesn't love you" i joked hoping that would get him out of his mood.

"Jackie" he warned again "im not in the mood for this, sweetheart, please" he said rubbing his temples. I frowned and stood up

"I'll be back" i mumbled and took Reaper out. I was really counting on him coming with me. I knew where I had to go, and I really didn't want to. When i got there i knocked, and waited. When nobody came I knocked again. She opened the door

"Hey..." i said and bit my lip. She looked shocked. She looked at reaper, confused. I sighed. "I'm sorry..." i said. I did miss her a bit. I was just much happier with Dave. she hugged me, something i wasn't expecting. I hugged her back

"I thought you were never coming back" he said, her voice breaking. I didn't know what to say. It was almost awkward. I'd gotten so used to my new life, i'd forgotten all about the old one. She felt like a dream i was remembering three months after having it.

"Well" i admitted sheepishly after she pulled away "i'm not staying... i just have a favor" she looked disheartened

"Oh" she said and nodded "well, uh, what is it" i handed her the leash. She looked confused once again

"I need you to watch him... just for two weeks i promise..."

"Why" she asked, a tinge of coldness in her tone

"I'm leaving on a promo tour for" i hesitated saying his name "Dave's band, Megadeth" i said "i would stay and take care of the dog, but he's scared about leaving me alone for two weeks" i said "he needs me there" she sighed

"What's his name" she asked and bent down to pet him. He liked her. My dad loved dogs. Thats why we never had any. She was so bitter that anything he loved, she hated. I assumed thats why sometimes she was bitter towards me. I supposed I needed to make a visit to him as well today. It'd been almost a year since i'd seen him. He was an okay dad. He was great when i was there, but just didn't put in the effort. But he sure did love me. That's why i never went over there. He always made up for the fact he wouldn't put in effort to see me with money, and nice things. He loved me but he tried to buy himself into a connection.

"Reaper" i said proudly "a christmas present from Dave" i said and smiled to myself. She nodded

"Well" she said "he's too cute not to take... will you at least come in and talk? It's been so long" i nodded and we all went in. i sat on the couch across from my mother.

"Where are you living?" she asked starting off the interrogation

"An apartment over on Peach tree" i said "we live rent free, so don't even worry we have enough money for everything... Dave has a job" she nodded.

"And how's he treating you?" i grinned

"Good" i said "im really happy, mom" she smiled at that. Even if she didn't like him she was happy i was happy.

"Are you two being..." she hesitated "smart about your intimacy" she asked. I laughed

"Don't worry mom" i said leaving it open ended. We'd fucked. And we didn't use anything the last three times. I guess i'd given in to the whole kid thing. We decided if it happens, it happens. We'll be fine. If it doesn't, then thats fine too. But i wasn't about to tell her that.

She asked me lots more questions, most of my answers were worded carefully as to avoid any sort of conflict to come up. Eventually i told her i needed to go see my dad, and left the dog with her. Now it was off to my dads. I knocked on the door, and there he was. He smiled warmly at me

"Finally decided to drop by i see, sweetheart" he said. I smiled and hugged him quickly. "How've you been, sugar" he asked. Mom must not have told him

"Good" i said hesitating slightly "just went to go see mom" he frowned, confused.

"I moved out," i explained "with my boyfriend"

"The whores got a boyfriend?" I heard Jason, my step brother, call out from the kitchen. My dad gave him a warning look, and turned back to me.

"And who's your boyfriend?" he asked with a chuckle. I grinned proudly.

"Dave Mustaine" by the look on his face, he didn't know who dave was. But Jason did. He looked shocked

"What? Your dating Dave fucking Mustaine? Isn't he like thirty?" me and Jason were the same age but had different mothers. One of the many reasons my parents got divorced. He was a jackass and hated me. Although, i hated him right back so it was even.

"He's not thirty dumbass" i rolled my eyes and turned to my dad who looked concerned "he's a few years older than me, it's fine. He makes money don't worry" i said "i would have brought him, but we're actually going on a promotional tour for his band so he's packing" he nodded

"Baby, don't you think your a bit young for all... all this?" he asked. I grinned and shook my head

"It's working out better than i thought. We have enough money, a dog, and i'm still doing alright in school" i shrugged "it all works out"

He sighed and nodded. He told my he needed to go to work, but i should stay to eat something. Before he left he gave me money. Of course. I didn't turn it down... after he left i sat on the couch

"So how many STDs do you have from that jackass" he sneered. I hit him with a pillow

"Twenty" i said sarcastically and went into the kitchen. He followed me

"He's in Megadeth" he said "isn't he?" i nodded. I hoped he didn't like them.

"Can i meet him? I've been to the shows... theyre good" i sighed

"And why should i" i said rummaging through the fridge and found some pizza. "Not like you've been brother of the year" he had pleading eyes

"Please, come on just take me back to your place right now, i'll meet the band and leave" i looked at the clock. Shit. i only had a half an hour before we had to leave.

"Fine!" i said annoyed "but you have to drive we're going to be late" i said and he drove me to our apartment. I told him not to touch anything as we walked in.

"Where the hell were you, Jackie, that took forever!" dave yelled from our room. I blushed when jason snickered at him yelling at me.

"I got caught up" i muttered "i have someone that wants to meet you" i said and dragged Jason to our room. Dave looked at him

"Who the hell is this" i chuckled and Jason bit his lip, looking at the floor.

"My brother" i said. I hated that "said he's a fan, and begged me to have him meet you". Dave nodded and shook his hand

"Nice to meet you, kid" he said a little stiff. He looked at me "i didn't know you had a brother" he muttered. Jason grinned and looked at me

"Same age as her, actually, so if you think im a kid-" i smacked him

"I seem to remember you saying you'd leave!" i snapped and took him to the front door.

"See you in a year when you need money" he shrugged and left. I walked back into our room. He was grabbing our bags

"Let's go" he said and walked out. I made sure all the lights were off, and followed him in silence. The bus was waiting for us. It was.. Cozy to say the least. The guys were all there

"What took you guys so long" chris said in a daze. He'd been shooting up, i would bet money.

"Jackie had a family visit" he muttered and put our bags in the back.

Then we started off to northern california.